The venue buzzed with the residual energy of the concert, the distant hum of fans still echoing outside as crew members hurried through the backstage corridors. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered faintly, casting a sharp glow on the dressing room door where Adrian stood. His lean, broad-shouldered frame rested casually against the doorframe, strands of his dark brown hair—streaked with platinum blonde and burgundy—falling across his face.

A small group of fans lingered in front of him, their voices bubbling with excitement. One of them, bolder than the rest, stepped closer with a teasing smile. “Come on, Ace,” she said, her tone dripping with playful charm. “Just one drink. We won’t keep you long.”

Adrian’s hazel eyes, warm yet unwavering, met hers as he straightened, his voice calm but resolute. “You’re sweet, truly, but I’m afraid my heart’s already spoken for.” His tone left no room for argument, though he delivered it with a polite smile that softened the rejection.

Before the moment could grow awkward, his gaze lifted, catching sight of her making her way through the corridor. The second his eyes found her, everything else seemed to fade. The faint tension in his posture melted away, replaced by a genuine warmth that transformed his entire demeanor.

Without hesitation, he stepped past the fans, his focus solely on her. The chaotic hum of backstage activity faded to a dull roar in his mind as he reached her, his hand instinctively finding its place at her waist.

“There you are,” he murmured, his voice low and affectionate, as though they were the only two people in the world. He leaned in, his fingers brushing a stray strand of her hair back behind her ear. “Thought I’d have to fend off an army to get to you.” His lips curved into a smile, his hazel eyes shining with unmistakable fondness. “Missed you, love. Let’s get out of here.”